Menopause Madness: Symptoms, Survival Tips & a Little Sass
Let’s talk menopause. Yep… I’m officially in the thick of it (or should I say knee deep!), and honestly, I’ve wanted to write about menopause for ages. Now that I’ve broadened the blog to include more lifestyle topics (not just homes and interiors anymore), it finally feels like the right time to open the door and have a good, honest chat about this wild stage of life.
I turned 49 a couple of weeks ago – a feisty-but-soft Leo sun, soppy Cancer moon and a get-sh*t-done Capricorn rising (gotta slide a little astrology in there!). I reckon I started the whole perimenopause ride earlier than I even realised, but about 3 years ago (at 46) it all started to show up… loudly.
Menopause Madness: My Reality Check
It all started with sleep. Or should I say… NO sleep.
Waking up at 1 am – ping – like a computer booting up. 3 am. 4 am. Over and over. After about two weeks of that? You start to question your sanity. Your brain stops functioning like a normal human being. Where did I put my glasses? Or my phone? Who knows.
And then comes the anxiety (thanks to the exhaustion).
You feel too tired to go out, so you don’t. Then you feel isolated. Which makes you feel worse. It’s just gross.
And it wasn’t just the sleep + anxiety combo…
Menopause Symptoms That Hit Me Like a Truck
(yes, I actually experienced ALL of these…)
Brain Fog & Memory Wipe
One minute you’re making a cup of tea, next minute you’re standing in the kitchen holding a spoon, wondering why you’re even there.
Chronic Hip & Joint Pain
Right hip. Absolute agony. And when I started talking to other women about menopause, it turns out joint pain is up there with the worst of the symptoms.
Weird Heart Sensations
A little flutter here. A thud there. Freaked me out – until I discovered (yep) another menopause symptom.
Hair Loss & Thinning
My lovely Leo locks were shedding like crazy.
Hot Flashes & Night Sweats
The classics – and yes, they are as unpleasant as everyone says.
Zero Desire to Socialise
I used to love going out and meeting people, but I’ve definitely become more of a hermit since menopause kicked in.
Love Life… What Love Life?
Dating in your late 40s is already a nightmare– add menopause and the low libido fairy into the mix? That’s a whole other post in itself (haha!).
My Menopause Survival Journey (a little real talk)
No one warned me about this. I wish they had.
I’ve always avoided medication where possible, so I resisted anything for ages… until the hip pain and insomnia nearly broke me.
Trying HRT
I started HRT (estrogen gel each morning + progesterone tablets 12 days a month).
It helped a bit – but mentally it put me into a dark, doomsday headspace. So I came off it.
Two weeks later… insomnia came back with a vengeance. Hip pain, anxiety – all back.
Turns out I’m intolerant to progesterone (this explained years of pill-related mood issues and why the Mirena made me feel crazy).
Back to the GP and the only option was a progesterone pessary (yes, up the you-know-what).
At first I thought you have got to be joking.
But… IT WORKS.
One year on, I sleep better, the hip pain is manageable, and my mood is so much lighter. Estrogen gel + pessary = winning combo for me.
Little Things That Help Me Manage Menopause
Magnesium + Lion’s Mane
I take both before bed – magnesium helps with muscle/joint pain and lion’s mane keeps me calmer and more grounded.
Essential Oil Roll-On
I make my own blend and roll it on my wrists and temples at night. It really helps me drift off.
Stretch / Yoga / Weights
25 minutes every morning to keep my hips and back mobile – otherwise I seize up like the Tin Man.
Self-Compassion
Big one. I try not to be so bloody hard on myself.
We are honestly warriors for dealing with menopause on top of everything else in life. Give yourself a pat on the back. You deserve it.
Menopause Madness – Final Thoughts
If you’re reading this nodding your head thinking “yep… that’s me” – you’re not alone.
Menopause sucks. There’s no sugar-coating it.
But the more we talk about it, the less isolated we feel – and the more tips, support and ideas we can share.
Please feel free to jump into the comments and tell me your story, share your menopause tips and let’s get this conversation rolling.
We’ve got this – sleep-deprived, emotional, sweaty… and still absolutely fabulous
Calming Products I Personally Use for Menopause & Anxiety
These are all products I genuinely use to help with menopause symptons — and I can honestly say they’ve made a difference for me. I even make my own essential oil roll-on blends now, but before that, I used several of the ready-made ones listed below — and yes, they really do work!
Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase (at no extra cost to you). It’s a simple way to support this blog and everything I share — so thank you for being here!
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